GREENVILLE, SC – Luke Richardson’s 31 saves paved the way for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to top the Savannah Ghost Pirates 5-2 on Saturday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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Greenville started the game with a similar opening to the previous night’s meeting with the Orlando Solar Bears, as Jake Smith gave the Rabbits the 1-0 lead just 5:52 into the game with a power-play one-timer for his ninth of the season. Just beyond the midway point, Smith snapped the puck to Tanner Eberle, who added to Greenville’s advantage with his fifth of the season at 10:20.
In the second period, Greenville extended its lead to 3-0 at 4:24, as Brannon McManus one-timed his fifth of the season into the Savannah net. Later, at 14:56, Eberle’s shot was left loose in the crease for Colton Young to poke his third of the season into the Ghost Pirates net. The fourth goal saw the night end for Savannah goaltender Kaden Fulcher, as Michael McNiven replaced him after allowing the four goals on 26 shots. After the goaltending change, Savannah broke up Luke Richardson’s shutout bid with a power-play goal at 19:55 from Pat Guay.
Savannah clawed closer to the Swamp Rabbits with a second power-play goal from Guay at 12:55 in the third period. Late in the period, as Anthony Beauchamp was on a breakaway toward the empty Savannah net, Ghost Pirates forward Logan Drevitch committed a hooking infraction that drew an awarded goal to Beauchamp at 18:25 for the 5-2 score line.
W: Richardson
L: Fulcher
With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improved to an Eastern Conference-best 20-8-0-0 and remained atop the South Division, while the Ghost Pirates fell to 9-15-3-1.
The Swamp Rabbits travel to Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida, for a pair of meetings with the Florida Everblades beginning on December 28.
Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.
About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier AA Hockey League member.
